The wildfire that has burnt thousands of hectares on Mount Kenya could have consequences affecting water supplies, wildlife habitats, tourism and the livelihoods of communities surrounding the mountain.
Firefighters have contained about 85 per cent of the blaze, but teams are still battling hotspots and fresh flare-ups, and the full ecological and economic cost will only become clear after the fire is extinguished and detailed assessments are completed.
The fire started near Rutundu Lodge on September 1 and spread towards Marania Forest in the north and Chogoria in the south-west. Strong winds, high temperatures, dry grass and invasive vegetation accelerated its movement through steep, inaccessible terrain.
Estimates of the area affected vary, with Government figures indicating that more than 3,000 hectares have burnt, while Rhino Ark estimated that the fire had consumed about 8,700 hectares of moorland by September 6.
Mount Kenya’s forests, wetlands and moorlands collect, store and gradually release water into rivers feeding the Tana and Ewaso Ng’iro basins. These rivers support homes, farms, livestock, wildlife, industry and hydropower generation across a large part of the country.
Loss of vegetation to the fire can weaken the mountain’s ability to retain water and protect soil, allowing water to flow rapidly over burnt ground during brains, carrying ash, soil and plant material into streams. This could reduce water quality, increase erosion and deposit sediment in downstream reservoirs.
Wildlife has also lost feeding, breeding and shelter areas. Officials have reported no human casualties and say many large animals moved away from the fire, but smaller mammals, reptiles, insects and ground-nesting birds may have been killed or displaced.
The Mount Kenya ecosystem is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and supports tourism businesses, guides, porters, accommodation providers and traders. Closure of routes, damaged scenery and safety concerns could disrupt visitor activity and reduce local earnings.
More than 400 personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, local communities and conservation organisations are involved in the response, with aerial surveillance helping crews locate active fire lines.
